Well, it's taken me a long time to get everything set up to get out birding again, but I 
finally had my first trip to the canal in my power chair, using our new conversion van, on 
Saturday. We went to Seneca, where I can get to the canal via the gate off Tschiffely Mill 
Road (the towpath is inaccessible by the lockhouse - lots of stairs...). So here's my brief 
little trip tally:

Saturday, July 14, Seneca towpath and Tschiffely Mill Rd.

Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Kingfisher
Mallard
Fish Crow
Turkey Vulture
Carolina Chickadee
Grackle
Cardinal
Red-eyed Vireo
Prothonotary Warbler
Eastern Phoebe
Peewee

There was Prothonotary activity at two of the nest boxes, with a female removing a fecal 
sac from one, and a male singing on territory above another. This led to a puzzling 
display, as what looked like another male came towards the singing male, and was 
chased away across the canal. This happened twice while we were watching - isn't it a bit 
late for nest box competition? Do Prothonotaries have more than one brood here?

A short Herp, Lep and Odonata list:
Broad-headed Skink (?) - long, heavy; sunning on rock next to bridge; lines very 
indistinct, but could have been big Five-lined
Painted Turtle - lots of these; it was a real good turtle convention day
Red-bellied Turtle - ditto; if they're muddy, can't tell these two species apart
Snapping Turtle - my husband spotted this small one (about 8-10") swimming
no snakes, alas 

Red Admiral
SS Skipper
Tiger Swallowtail - LOTS! the button bushes are in bloom
Red-spotted Purple

Common Whitetail - gazillions
Slaty Skimmer - pair; male hovering while female oviposited
unidentified Clubtail on towpath
many, many other dragons and damsels unidentified - next time, remember to bring field 
guide...

Mary LaMarca
Silver Spring